As we approach Arbor week, let us remind each other that our common tree of the year is Buddleja saligna!

The False olive is widespread in South Africa. It grows in various habitats ranging from dry hillsides, mixed scrub, wooded valleys, streams, forest margins, and coastal bushes.  Classified as a shrub or small tree, B.saligna attains a mature height of 3 to 10m depending on growing conditions.

The leaves of this fast-growing tree are medium to dark green and smooth above with the underside pale and with conspicuous veins. Leaves of Buddleja saligna resemble those of the Wild olive hence the common name ‘False olive.’ When young, stems of this tree are four-angled and covered with velvety hairs. As the tree matures, the stems become grey to dark grey with bark peeling in longitudinal strips. The tree produces tiny, creamy white flowers that are borne in dense sprays usually at the ends of branches. These appear on the tree from Spring to Summer. The blooms have a honey-like fragrance, attracting insects and birds to the garden. After flowering the fruit appears in form of an ovoid capsule about 2mm long, pale yellowish-brown when mature.

Buddleja saligna grows well in full sun or partial shade areas. It has a non-aggressive root system and is often used as a pioneer tree in younger gardens. This hardy and versatile tree is ideal for quick screening due to its fast growth rate.  It can be pruned into a beautiful tree shape as well as kept low for hedging purposes. In traditional medicine, the leaves are used to treat coughs and colds and the roots are used as a laxative.